Technical Abstract:
The Nutrient Data Laboratory, USDA, is collaborating with the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), the National Center for Health Statistics, and other government organizations to design and populate a Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID). This analytically based, publicly available database will estimate actual ingredient levels for vitamins and minerals in dietary supplement products. Methods and Materials: The database will initially be populated with adult multivitamin/mineral (MVM) products as they are most commonly consumed. Next on the priority list are children’s MVM products, calcium supplements and vitamin D supplements. Results: A pilot study designed to identify appropriate analytical methods and experienced laboratories for the analysis of 12 vitamins and 11 minerals in adult MVM supplement products has been completed. Another pilot study, which analyzed representative MVM products based on specific ingredient levels, provided preliminary estimates of the range of analytical values compared to labeled levels. The representative MVM products were identified by ingredient, based on common % Daily Value (DV) levels reported in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2002. These DV levels ranged from 2% (potassium) to 6666% (thiamin), with 16 nutrients having 100% DV as the most common level. An adult MVM product study is now underway. Significance: Combined intake data from foods and supplements is used to evaluate the total impact of dietary components on the nation’s health. The DSID will provide better estimates of actual nutrient intake from supplements than databases that rely on label values alone. Funding Disclosure: Interagency agreement ODS/NIH Y4-HV-0051.